Slide fastener construction



April 19, 1960 e. w. GEISSMANN 2,932,872

suns FASTENER CONSTRUCTION Filed Oct. 15, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 IN VEN TOR. GLADYS WHITCOMB GEISSMAN FIG. 8. l. 9. WZZWQ i fimd April 19, 1960 e. w. GEIISSMANN suns FASTENER CONSTRUCTION 2 Sheets-Sheet .2

Filed Oct. 15, 1954 IN V EN TOR. GLADYS WHITCOMB GEISSMAN which the slider is shown at a United States Patent-O SLIDE FASTENER CONSTRUCTION Gladys Whitcomb Geissmann, New York, NY.

Application October 15, 1954, Serial No. 462,485

4 Claims. (Cl. 24-20511) This invention relates to slide fasteners and more particularly to slide fasteners incorporating locking means to counteract the effects of sidewise pull at the exact end of the closure.

In the development of the slide fastener art it very early became apparent that there was a need formeans to prevent opening under the influence ofsidewise pulling forces which tend to cause the slider to slide down its track. A typical expedient developed in response to thisneed was a lock in the form of a finger on the underside of the pivoted tab or finger grip which clamps against the teeth of the closure to prevent sliding movement unless the tab is raised.

Because the sliders of slide fasteners diverge outwardly at their leading edges to receive and guide the converging rows of teeth, there is an inherent splaying effect of the opposing rows of unengaged teeth at the leading edge of the slider regardless of whether or not it is locked in place by conventional means such as-that described above. Consequently, there is a tendency for the closure to open slightly but perceptibly at its end so that a tightly closed, finished edge cannot be achieved using the slide fastener alone. It is almost invariably deemed necessary, therefore, in the construction of clothing and other articles having closures in which the slide fastener runs to a finished edge of the fabric, to provide supplemental fastening means such as tabs, hooks, buttons. and the like to impart strength and neatnessto the closure. Such expedients as these tend to be bulky in appearance, costly to make, and annoying to manipulate, and do not alway prevent the fasteners from opening.

It is, therefore, one object of the present invention to provide a slide fastener which affords positive locking action against sidewise pull at the exact end of the closure so that supplemental fastening means are unnecessary.

In accordance with the invention, the slide of a slide fastener is formed on its leading end with a forwardly extending locking member and at the end of each of each row of teeth there are attached to the tapes complementary locking members which, operating in conjunction with the locking member of the slide, form a positive fastening at the precise end of the closure. The cooperating members which appear at the top of each row of teeth can extend over a considerable length, corresponding to three or more teeth, for example, so that a secure grip on the upper end of the fabric tapes that carry the teeth is achieved and so that the locking member of the advancing slider can be piloted into the locking members of the tapes.

The invention, from which other features and objects thereof will be readily apparent, is fully described below having reference to the accompanying drawings illustrating several preferred embodiments thereof in which:

Figure 1 is a front view of a slide fastener closure-in point spaced from the end of the closure;

Figure 2 is a view corresponding to Figure 1 showing 2 v the slider at the end of the closure, and effecting its locking action;

Figure 3 is a side view of the slide member of the closure of Figures 1 and 2;

Figure 4 is a front view of the slide fastener showing a different arrangement of locking components and with the slide spaced from the end of the closure;

Figure 5 is a view corresponding to Figure 4 showing the slide fastener fully closed and locked;

Figure 6 is a front view of a slide fastener partly opened and showing still another form of locking means;

Figure 7 is a view corresponding to Figure 6 showing the slide fastener closed;

Figure 8 is a front view of the slide fastener closure partly open and showing another arrangement of locking P Figure 9 is a view corresponding to Figure 8 showing the slide fastener in its closed position;

Figure 10 is a plan view of a blank from which a. slider can be formed for use in the practice of the present invention;

Figure 11 is a front view of a slide fastener closure assembly illustrating yet another modification of the invention and showing the fastener in a partially open position;

Figure 12 is a view corresponding to Figure 11 showing the slide fastener in a closed position;

Figure 13 is a view of still another modification of a slide fastener in a partly opened position;

Figure 14 is a front view corresponding to Figure 13 but showing the slide fastener closed;

Figure 15 is a front view of another modification of a slide fastener closure;

Figure 16 is a front view of another modification;

Figure 17 is a front view of a slide fastener of yet another modification; and

Figure 18 is a front view of the slide fastener of Figure 17 showing the fastener locked.

Referring to Figures 1 through 3, there is shown a slide fastener closure comprising a slider or slide member 20 mounted to move along and control the interlocking action of a pair of tooth tracks 21 and 22, mounted on conventional tapes 23 and 24, respectively. The slider 20 is furnished with a pivoted tab or finger grip 25 which can be formed with a conventional locking cleat 26 adapted to enter a slot 27 in the body of the slider when the tab is swung downwardly into the plane of the closure to lock the slider in position.

Formed at the leading end of the slider 20 are locking means 28 which can take the form of a pair of forwardly extending fingers 29 and 30. Anchored to the tapes 2;} and 24 at the end of the tooth rows 21 and 22, respectively, are cooperating locking means 31 which can take the form of a pair of tubular elements 32 and 33. The inside diameters of the tubular elements are arranged to receive the locking means 28 of the slide 20', or more particularly the fingers 29 and 30, respectively. The tubular elements 32 and 33 can be formed integrally with inwardly extending guide portions 34 and 35, respectively, the

function of which will be described presently. no

i In operation, as the slider 20 is moved upwardly to close the slide fastener by causing successive teeth of the companion rows of teeth 21 and 22 to become interlocked as they converge within the slider, the inner corners of the rigid guide portions 34 and 35 will ultimately be brought together. Further upward movement of the slider will cause a pivotal action about these engaged corners which will bring the tubular elements 32 and 33 of the locking means 31 toward each other until they are in alignment with the fingers 29 and 30, respectively, of the slider 20, the fingers at the conclusion of the slide motion being received within the tubular elements.

amt-r Useful results are attainable using only one of the two rigid guides 34 and 35.

' gWith the slider in its uppermost position as best seen in Figure 2, opposed forces in the direction of the arrows 36 and 37, for example, will be carried by the coupled locking means 28 and 31, and no amount of force below the actual lateral tensile strength of the tapes 23 and 24 will cause any gaping whatsoever at the precise end of the closure. Because the tubular elements 32 and 33 with theirguides 34 and 35 extend over a relatively large length of the tapes 23 and 24, their bite is very strong, and loosening or tearing at this point is discouraged.

The tab of the slider 20 can be swung downwardly into the plane of the closure causing the cleat 26, if such is provided, to engage the row of teeth 22 to hold the slider in position. It will be understood, however, that this conventional locking expedient is not essential to the practice of the invention disclosed herein. If desired, the fit of the locking means 28 in the companion locking means 31 may be-such that a friction locking action results which prevents movement of the slide downwardly much the same as the cleat 26. Such locking action can be supplemented, for example, by means of an enlarged portion 38. formed on the extending finger 30, for example, which can be made to overhang a shoulder 39 formed within the tubular element 33.

Referring to Figures 4 and 5, a modified closure in accordance with the invention is illustrated in which like parts are identified by like reference numerals. In this arrangement the tubular elements 32 and 33' of the locking means 31 are rolled outwardly and the cooperative locking means 28 of the slider 20 are comprised of laterally spaced fingers 29' and respectively. In this arrangement, the operation of which is generally similar to that described above in connection with Figures 1 to 3, a slightly heavier construction can be used for the companion locking parts suitable for use with larger and heavier slide fasteners, for example.

Referring to Figures 6 and 7, another modification of the terminal locking mechanism of the present invention is illustrated in which the slider 20, which can be in decorative form, for example, is formed with locking means 28 which can take the form of a single forwardly extending finger 40 adapted to coact with companion lock.- ing means which can take the form of a pair of aligned tubular elements or edges 41 and 42 attached to the tapes 23, and 24, respectively. In this arrangement the tubular element 41 can be formed with an inwardly extending guide portion 43 corresponding to the portion 34 of Figures 1 and 2 and the inner edge of which can coact with the corresponding inner edge of the tubular element ,the locking means 28 of the slider 20 can take the form of inwardly curving extensions 45 and 46. With the slider in its fully closed position as indicated in Figure 9, the converging elements 45 and 46 will tend to be tightly locked within the elements 43 and 44, so that it is virtually impossible to open the closure until the sidewise forces are released. The curvature of the extensions 45 and 46 serves to prevent free downward movement of the slider, much the same as the means 38 and 39 of Figures 1 and 2. As in the case of the embodiments described above, the rigid guides 34 and can be used to assist in piloting the slider to its ultimate, locking The blank 45 is stamped for a single piece of flatsheet material to form a front portion 47 joined by a neck 48. The front portion 46 is formed with a pair of substantially parallel fingers 49 and 50. To form the slider, the front and back portions 46 and 47 are bent at the neck 48 to be disposed in two parallel planes, with the lateral edges being rounded as necessary to define the conventional guide channels for receiving the teeth of a slide fastener. If desired, a lug or loop 51 can be struck upwardly from the front surfa'ce46 toform an anchor for the tab.

Referring to Figures 11 and 12, a modification of the slide' fastener closure is shown in which the slider 20' is formed with a square leading edge 52 and in which the upper ends of the tapes 23 and 24, which carry the complementary rows of teeth, are formed with modified locking means 31 which can take the form of a clip member 53 having a locking rib 54 adapted to be received in the channel 55 of a corresponding locking clip member 56.

' To operate the closure of Figures 11 and 12, with the slider 20 in its down or opened position, the locking lug 54 is'fitted into the channel 55 whereupon the slider is brought upwardly to the position shown in Figure 12 so that the square end 52 engages the bottom of the lug 54, the latter being so proportioned as to enter the upper end ofthe slider just above the last of the locked teeth. This prevents the locking means 31 from becoming opened until such time as the slider is lowered. In the arrangement of Figures 11 and 12, the slide fastener is illustrated as embodied in a closure assembly for a garment which is formed in accordance with the applicants Patent No. 2,629,875 and in which the slide fastener itself constitutes the sole locking or fastening means at the top of. the closure. The locking means 31, operated I in conjunction with the slider 21, affords the necessary positive lock. It will be understood, however, that the arrangement of Figures 11 and 12 is not limited to use with such closure assembly.

Referring to Figures 13 and 14, a modified arrangethent of the slide fastener is illustrated in which the locking means 31 takes the form of a clip member 57 formed with a hook 58 adapted to be received in a channel or eye 59 in a companion locking member 60,

59". 1111 Figure 16, the lug 57 is formed with a downwardly projecting finger 58" adapted to be received in a "tubular opening 59". In both cases, the positioning of the slider 20 at the upper end of the closure precludes inadvertent opening of the clip members. In the arrange- .ments of Figures 13 through 16, it will be seen that the rigid guide portions 34 and 35 are received in the upper end of the slider when the fastener is fully closed, thereby to augment the union of the upper locking means '31 by imparting rigidity thereto. In the arrangement of Figures 17 and 18, which can if desired correspond to the general arrangement of Figmres l1 and 12 and like parts of which are identified by like reference numerals, the slider 20' carries a tab 25" having locking means v61 which can take the form I of an aperture for engaging complementary locking means :62 which can take the form of a lug or pin on the clip portion 56. After the slider is moved to its uppermost position to lock the tooth rows 21 and 22 thetab '25 is swung upwardly to engage the complementary locking 6,0:andl'61, thereby holding the slider positively against inadvertent downward sliding movement, thus assuring that the slider 20' stops in place to prevent disengagement of the lateral locking means of which the clip member 56 is a part.

In all of the embodiments of the invention described above, it will be understood that a highly efficient positively locking slide fastener closure is effected by locking means which are incorporated in the slide fastener tapes themselves, thereby obviating the need for such devices on the garments and that the locking means, in all forms, are highly inconspicuous due to their relatively small size.

It will be understood that the invention can take various forms of embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention which should not *be regarded as limited, therefore, except as defined by the following claims.

I claim:

1. In a slide fastener closure, a pair of tape portions, rows of complementary interlocking teeth secured respectively to the tape portions, a slider movable along the tooth rows to control the interlocking of the teeth and the uniting of the tape portions, said slider having outwardly flared tooth receiving channels adjacent its leading end to bring the tooth rows together within the slider, locking members secured respectively to the tape portions adjacent corresponding ends of the tooth rows, said ends being those last to be brought together as the slider is operated to bring said tooth rows together and the first to be separated as the slider is operated to separate said tooth rows, said locking members having channels therein extending lengthwise of said rows of teeth, and means carried by the slider and engageable in said channels to retain said locking members against separation.

2. In a slide fastener closure, a pair of tape portions, rows of complementary interlocking teeth secured respectively to the tape portions, a slider movable along the tooth rows'to control the interlocking of the teeth and the uniting of the tape portions, locking members secured respectively to the tape portions adjacent corresponding ends of the tooth rows, said ends being those last to be brought together as the closure is operated, and means including a locking member carried by the slider to interlock with the locking members secured to the tape portions to positively link the tape portions against separation at said ends under tensile stresses normal to the tooth rows, said locking members on the slider comprising forwardly extending finger means, said locking members including channel portions: to receive the finger means, whereby the slider affords a positive link between the tape portions to accept tensile stress normal to the tooth rows.

3. In a slide fastener closure, a pair of tape portions, rows of complementary interlocking teeth secured respectively to the tape portions, a slider movable along the tooth rows to control the interlocking of the teeth and the uniting of the tape portions, locking members secured respectively to the tape portions adjacent corresponding ends of the tooth rows, said ends being those last to be brought, together as the closure is operated, and means including a locking member carried by the slider to interlock with the locking members secured to the tape portions to positively link the tape portions. against separation at said ends under tensile stresses normal to the tooth rows, said locking members on the slider compris' ing forwardly extending bifurcated finger means, said locking members including channel portions to receive respectively the bifurcated finger portions, whereby the slider affords a positive link between the tape portions to accept tensile stress normal to the tooth rows.

4. A slide fastener closure as set forth in. claim 3, said forwardly extending bifurcated finger means being formed with convergent tip portions to detachably secure the slider to the locking members.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,520,687 Avedon Dec. 30, 1924 1,609,486 Marinsky Dec. 7, 1926 1,704,579 Sanford Mar. 5, 1929 1,889,337 Legat Nov. 29, 1932 2,190,609 Farnstrom Feb. 13, 1940 2,358,178 Marinsky Sept. 12, 1944 2,540,693 Shur Feb. 6, 1951 2,578,035 Bashover Dec. 11, 1951 2,753,609 Grossner Mar. 25, 1956 FOREIGN PATENTS 533,578 Great Britain Feb. 17, 1941 

